The NMRA Battles The NMCA In Its Third Annual Shootout Event

Michael Wall purchased his '95 GT used in 2001 with a scant 40K on the clock. Michael's first thought was to turn it into a '98 Cobra clone, and he got as far as the Cobra hood, front fascia, and wheels before realizing that he needed some muscle underhood to back up the Cobra looks. We're not talking a cold-air kit and a set of pulleys. No, Michael went for the trifecta of a head/cam/intake swap, using well-known parts such as AFR heads, a Comp cam, and a Holley intake. To really set things in motion, though, Michael added a Procharger P1-SC pullied for 11 psi to make sure he had enough power. Now, realize that Michael did all this work while tackling a full-time job and going to school; though he'd be remiss if he didn't say his father helped a bit.

Over the next few years the upgrades kept coming at a regular pace. Each year a different sub-system was tackled. First Michael worked on the suspension and brakes, then the interior, and then he went back underhood and polished or chromed anything he could unbolt. Finally, the piece de resistance was the Blue True flame paint job over the factory Deep Forest Green base, expertly applied by the crew at Pokerville Ironworks in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin. Now Michael is busy putting an addition on his house to store all of the trophies he's been winning since the paint was laid. At Joliet, Michael racked up Top 20 Ford awards Saturday and Sunday, a Second Place Director's Choice on Sunday, a People's Choice award for Best Engine on Saturday, and a People's Choice award for Best Body & Paint on Sunday, besides our Editor's Choice award. That's some haul. You can check out more of Michael's ride at www.gotstang.com/mwall787.